This web site was produced as part of an interdisciplinary, multi-institutional project to study literature, film, and biotechnology from 2003-2006. Funded by the ESLI program of the National Human Genome Research Institute, the group examined how works of fiction, film, and popular culture have responded to—and helped shape—contemporary attitudes toward genetics and biotechnology. Many of the participants continue to work, individually and collaboratively, on these topics.
The site identifies works of literature, film, science fiction, and other forms of popular culture that look at the social implications of cloning, eugenics, genetic engineering, genetics and race, the evolution of the human species, chimeras, stem cell research, genetic screening, genetic discrimination, and more.
Goals
The web site is intended for high school and college teachers in both the humanities and the biological sciences, as well as for their students and for general readers.
Our aim is to encourage interest in contemporary science, and genetics in particular, among literary scholars and teachers; to explore alternative models of humanities research, involving collaboration and transdisciplinary approaches; to provide support for graduate students and junior scholars as they embark on interdisciplinary research; to demonstrate the impact that cultural representations of genetics have on public understanding of that science; and to enlarge the role of the humanities in contemporary debates about medical and scientific ethics in order to help shape more equitable public policies.
Ratings
The Ratings reflect the views of the authors of individual entries and of the editor, not the other scholars on the project. They are meant as guides to teachers who might want to find a new reading to supplement their courses or for readers who are interested in finding works of interest about genetics.
History
The group first met at Vanderbilt University in 2003 to exchange working papers and hold discussions with geneticists, doctors, lawyers, and ethicists. A second colloquium was held at Duke University in 2004, where the participants continued their discussions with one another and with an equally interdisciplinary set of guests. The group is currently publishing the fruits of those meetings and individuals are planning follow-up projects.
Membership (2003-2006, except where noted)
- Natalie Champ (2005-07), Vanderbilt University
- Ellen Wright Clayton, Vanderbilt University
- Jay Clayton (2003-09), Vanderbilt University
- Celeste Condit, University of Georgia
- Robert Cook-Deegan, Duke University
- Lennard Davis, University of Illinois, Chicago Circle
- Carolyn Freund (2003-04), Meharry Medical College
- Lauren Wood Hoffer (2008-09), Vanderbilt University
- Mark Jeffreys (2003-04), Utah Valley State College
- David A. Kirby, University of Manchester, UK
- Erin Gentry, Duke University
- Karla Holloway, Duke University
- Lisa Lynch, Catholic University
- Susan McHugh, University of New England
- Robert Mitchell, Duke University
- Timothy Murray, Cornell University
- Judith Roof (2003-04), Michigan State University
- Heather Schell, George Washington University
- Stephanie Turner, University of Houston, Downtown Campus
- Alys Weinbaum, University of Washington
- Priscilla Wald, Duke University
Web Design
The web site was designed by Anastasia Holdren of Sitemason. Ryan Kaldari did the coding. Most of the entries were written by Natalie Champ and Lauren Wood Hoffer, then edited by Jay Clayton.
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